Golf ball washing devices



Dec. 4, 1962 w. E. BROWN, JR

GOLF BALL WASHING DEVICES 3 Sheets-Shea?I l Filed March 7, 1961 INVENTOR. a? E 51mm, Jr.

A TTOE/VE YS Dec. 4, 1962 w. E. BROWN, JR

GOLF BALL WASHING DEVICES Filed March 7. 1961 IN VEN TOR. Zz'Zf/zo E. Etam, J1:

HTTGFNEYS Dec. 4, 1962 Filed March '7. 1961 W. E. BROWN, JR

GOLF BALL WASHING DEVICES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 1N VEN TOR.

Arme/v5 V5 United States Patent Gilice BS Patented Dec. 4, 1962 3,066,335 GOLF BALL WASHING DEVICES Wilmot E. Brown, Jr., PI). Box 661, Graham, N C. Filed Mar. 7, 1961, Ser. No. 93,911 18 Claims. (Cl. 1S-21) The present invention relates to washing devices for spherical objects and more specifically to improved devices for washing golf balls, said devices being adapted to be associated with a golf cart by attaching the same to the frame thereof, or to a wheel, or by constructing the same -as a component part of a wheel. In each of such devices, a brush is arranged so that it is rotated to scrub a golf ball incidental to the turning of the wheel whenever the cart is pulled over the ground.

The invention further contemplates a golf ball washer that may take the form of an attachment that can be associated with a conventional wheel of a golf cart and installed by golf cart owners themselves or by retailers of the attachment, or which may be made yas a unitary part of a golf cart wheel that can be used as a replacement for a conventional wheel and/or installed at the factory as original equipment.

The invention still further contemplates golf cart wheels having built-in golf ball washing devices, wherein the wheels are designed for mounting upon hollow or solid shafts. I

One of the principal features of the present golf ball washing devices is that one or more soiled golf balls can be automatically washed as the golf cart is moved down the fairway from one green to another. In this connection, the washing devices lare constructed so that a brush is rotated incidental to the rotation of one of the golf cart wheels, and the golf balls to be washed are retained in stationary compartments and engaged by the rotating brush. The compartments receiving the golf balls are of such size and so arranged that rotation of the golf balls is somewhat retarded in order to render the scrubbing action of the brush more effective. Moreover, the brush bristles are preferably non-radial, and set in tufts arranged on a spiral so that the golf balls are caused to rotate in their compartments in random fashion, whereby the entire surface of the golf balls is cleaned.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a golf ball washing device that can be readily attached to a golf cart wheel, or built into ya golf cart wheel for use as a replacement for a conventional wheel, or as original equipment on a golf cart.

Another object is to provide a golf ball washing device in which one. or more golf balls undergoing a washing operation `are retained in individual compartments separate from a liquid-containing compartment, whereby the golf balls can be readily inserted into and removed from the washing device without excessive wetting of the hand of the golfer.

Still another object is to provide a golf ball washing device wherein one or more, golf balls are retained in separate compartments above a liquid containing compartment, and wherein the cleaning liquid is carried to the golf balls by a wheel-driven brush.

A further object is to provide a golf ball washing device in which the liquid container is constructed to permit the easy insertion and removal of golf balls while preventing the loss of cleaning liquid by splashing or sloshing.

A still further object is to provide a golf ball washing device that can be readily attached to a wheel on a golf cart mounted upon a tubular shaft.

A still further object is to provide a golf ball washing device that can be readily attached to a wheel mounted on a golf cart having a solid shaft.

Other objects and features of the invention will be ap parent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a side elevational view of a conventional golf cart having a wheel constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and embodying therein a golf ball Washer;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the wheel and golf ball washer shown in FIG. l, with a portion of the liquid tank broken away to illustrate one of the anti-slash baflies of the tank;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the wheel taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the splined driving connection between the wheel and brush, taken on the line `i-l of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through the upper portion of the tank taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional View through the lower portion of the tank taken on the line 6 6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a conventional golf cart including a wheel mounted on a hollow shaft with a golf ball washing attachment embodying the principles of the present invention attached to the wheel;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view of the wheel and golf ball washing `device shown in FIG. 7, with a portion of the tank broken away to reveal one of the anti-slush baffles contained in the tank;

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view through the wheel and golf ball washer taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FG. 10 is a perspective view of the stud holt shown in FIG. 9 for attaching the golf ball washer to the end of the hollow shaft for the golf cart wheel;

FIG. ll is a vertical sectional view through another embodiment of the invention illustrating the manner in which the present golf ball washer can be attached to a conventional golf cart wheel mounted upon a solid shaft;

FIG. l2 is a vertical sectional View through the splined connection between the wheel and brush taken on the line 12-12 of FIG. ll;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a stud bolt employed in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 for attaching the tank of the golf ball washer to the solid shaft; and

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary side view of the brush, diagrammatically showing the bristles mounted in tufts arranged on a spiral.

Referring to FIGS. l to 6 of the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a conventional golf cart comprising a frame 12 having a pivoted handle 14. A golf bag supporting platform 16 is located at the lower end of the frame 12, which also carries retaining elements 17 for maintaining a golf bag (not shown) in place on the cart. The frame 12 includes inclined elements extending laterally therefrom that terminate in horizontal portions that provide shafts 18 for a pair of wheels, one of which is shown and generally designated by the numeral 20.

Referring to FIG. 3, the wheel 2l) may be made of cast aluminum or any suitable plastic material and includes a dished sidewall 22 having a central opening 24, an internal hub 26 defining said opening, and an outer peripheral flange Z8 forming the rim of the wheel. The flange 28 has an annular rib 39 on its outer periphery adapted to be received between side flanges 29 of a rubber tire 31 having ground engaging ribs 33. The outer surface of the Wheel hub 26 has a series of splines 32, FIG. 4, extending lengthwise thereof, for a purpose described later.

The wheel sidewall 22, the hub 26 and rim 28 define an annular chamber 34 for receiving a golf ball washing device generally designated as 36. This device comprises l an annular tank 38 Apreferably molded of suitable plastic material and having an inner wall 40 conforming generally to the dished contour of the sidewall 22 of the Wheel, and provided with a central opening 42 and an outer marginal flange 44. The tank 38 also includes an outer Wall 46 having a relatively large central opening 48 and an outer peripheral flange S0. The flanges 44 kand t) have interlocking abutting faces. The innerlock vis effected by an annular rib 49 on the flange 44 that is received in a groove 51 in the flange 50. The rib 49 and groove 51 facilitate centering of the tank parts so that they can be secured together in registration by a suitable adhesive, or fused by a heat sealing operation. The outer wall 46 has an arcuate opening 52 for the insertion and removal of golf balls, as will be described more fully hereinafter.

The tank walls 40 and 46 define an annular chamber which, in the lower portion thereof, contains a series of angularly disposed baflles 54 formed integral with the inner wall 40, and a vertical or intermediate baffle 55, which extend across the full -width of the chamber into contact with the inner surface of the outer wall 46. Each baffle 54 has a recess 56 in the outer edge thereof that cooperates with the outer wall 46 to form an opening to permit the ow of liquid from a compartment on one side of the baffle to a compartment on the other side, without undue turbulence or splashing. It Will be noted from FIG. 3 that the recess S6 in the partition 55, is larger than the corresponding recesses in the partitions 54, FIG. 6, in order to provide clearance for a removable plastic or rubber drain plug 76. A series of circumferentially spaced side partitions 58, and a central partition S9, FIG. 2, are formed integral with the inner wall 40 and are disposed in the tank chamber diametrically opposite the baliles 54 and S5 and immediately behind the opening 52. The partitions 58 and 59, as is shown in FIG. 2, dene a pair of golf-ball-receiving compartments 60 registering with the opening 52 so that one golf ball 62 can be inserted into each compartment.

Referring to FIG. 5, it will be noted that the lower edge of the side partitions 58 extend generally parallel to the axis of the wheel 2t); whereas, as is shown in FIG. 3, the lower edge of the central partition 59 extends in a diagonal direction to facilitate insertion and removal of the golf balls 62.

The opening 48 in the outer wall 46 of the tank 38 is covered by a plate 64 having an axially extending hollow boss 66. Screws 68 pass through openings in the plate 64 and are received in threaded openings in the outer wall 46, as is clearly shown in FIG. 3, to mount the plate 64 on the wall 46. The upper part of the plate 64 has a cut-away portion 70, FIG. 2, aligned with the opening 52 and forming an edge thereof. The cutaway portion 70 exposes a portion of a rotating brush 80 for washing the golf balls 62, as will be described more fully hereinafter. The inner surface of the plate 64 has an arcuate groove 69 extending through approximately 240 degrees to matingly receive an arcuate rib 71 on the exterior surface of the outer wall 46 to facilitate centering and sealing of the parts during assembly.

The tank 38, when the golf ball washing device 36 is in use, contains a cleaning liquid 72, which may consist of water and a detergent. The tank 38 may be filled to a level below the axis of the wheel 20 as indicated at 73 in FIG. 2. The lowest part of the outer wall 46 of the tank 38 has a drain opening 74 vthat is closed by the removable hollow plug 76, previously referred to. A strap 78 is connected at one end with the plug 76 and its other end is secured to the tank 38 by one of the screws 68 to prevent loss ofthe plug.

The brush hub 80 is mounted for rotation within the chamber of the tank 38. The brush hub S0 is normally partially immersed in the cleaning liquid 72, as shown in FIG. 3, and includes an annular web 82 disposed between concentric flanges 84 and 86. The inner surface of the flange 84 has a series of longitudinally extending grooves 88, FIG. 4, that form an interlocking connection with the splines 32 on the hub 26. A resilient arcuate band 90 carrying nylon or other suitable bristles 92 is mounted upon and surrounds the flange 86. The band is preferA ably made of a stretchable material such as rubber and has 4 pairs of round projections 94, spaced 90 degrees apart, that engage in lslots in the side edges of the ange 86, thereby locking the band 90 on the flange 86. As is shown in FIG. 3, the bristles l92 on the brush hub 80 are longer at the sides of the brush than in the middle, the ends of the bristles thus defining an arcuate line conforming generally to the radius of a golf ball.

Referring to FIG. 2, the bristles 92 are non-radial and are disposed vwith their outer ends extending in the direction of rotation of the wheel 20, as indicated'by the arrow 93, to facilitate the cleaning action on the golf balls 62. In addition, the bristles 92 may be mounted on the band 90 in groups or tufts with the tufts arranged in a diagonal line or spiral, as is best shown in FIG. 14, to impart a turning action to the golf balls 62 while being washed. If desired, a suitable notation may appear on the rim of the flange 86 to indicate the normal direction of rotation of the brush. In order to provide ready access to the golf balls 62, the outer corners of the opening 52 are notched to provide finger recesses through which a thumb or forefinger may be inserted to engage and grip a golf ball 62 to remove it from the Washing device.

The tank 38 may be molded of styrene resin and the body of the brush hub 80 may be molded of the same material. The wheel 20 may be molded from any suitable known material, preferably a plastic. A polyvinyl acetal or a polycarbonate, such as Lexan manufactured by the General Electric Company may be used. The tire 31 may be made of rubber or other suitable material.

In assembling the golf ball washer, the tank walls 40 and 46 may be secured together along the flanges 44 and 50 by a suitable adhesive, or by heat fusion, as previously mentioned. The brush hub 80 can then be inserted into the washing chamber through the central opening 48. The assembled walls 40 and 46 may then be mounted within the wheel chamber 34 with the hub 26 passing through the opening 42. The body of the brush hub 80 is then mounted on the hub 26 with the splines 32 engaging the grooves 488. As is shown in FIG. 3, the opening 48 is suiciently large to permit the passage of the brush hub 80 with a slight distortion of the bristles 92. The band 90 is preferably applied with the flange 86 before the brush hub 80 is inserted into the tank 38. However, it is also possible to apply the band after the brush hub 80 has been installed. In either case, it is important to mount the band 90 so that the upper ends of the bristles; 92 extend in a forward direction relative to the direction of rotation of the wheel 20. The plate 64 is then mount-- edin position with the boss 66 thereof passing through the hub opening 24. The plate 64 is then secured to the tank Wall 46 by the screws 68. A split washer 96 is then inserted in a groove in the boss 66 to lock the wheel 20 and the golf ball washing device 36 in assembled rela-- tion.

The shaft 18 has a washer 97 thereon spaced from the outer'end thereof and welded in place to provide an abutment. The wheel 20 is mounted on the shaft 18 with the inner end of the boss 66 engagingl the washer 97. Theboss 66 is then fastened to the shaft 18 by a plurality of set screws 98. The tank 38 is pre-positioned so that the opening 52 is uppermost, and the set screws 9S then maintain the tank in such position and prevent turning of the tank while permitting the wheel 20 to rotate. Cleaning liquid 72 may be poured into the tank 38 through the opening 52. The quantity of liquid added.

is not critical, but should be suflicient to immerse the lower part of the brush hub 80. If desired, the tank wall 46 can be made of a transparent plastic material to reveal the liquid level, or a liquid level sight gauge (not shown) may be used to indicate the liquid level.

It will be understood that when the wheel is rotated in a clockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow 93, FIG. 2, the bristles 92 in passing through the lower part of the tank 38 are immersed in the liquid 72 and carry some of the liquid with them as they are moved to a position above the liquid level. One golf ball 62 may be placed in each of the compartments 60, as shown in FIG. 2. Hence, as the brush hub 80 is rotated, the nonradial bristles 92 produces a thorough scrubbing action on the outer surface of the golf balls. The spiral pattern of the bristles, see FIG. 14, will tend to rotate the golf balls, thereby assuring that the entire surface of the balls is properly scrubbed. The arcuate configuration of the periphery of the brush hub 80, as dened by the bristles, also assures contact with the golf balls over a relatively large area and tends to retain the balls in their compartments. The radial distance between the outer edge of the bristles and the inner edge of the opening 52 is less than the diameter of the golf ball 62, FIGS. 2 and 3, whereby the golf balls are prevented from falling out of the tank 38 and are also restrained somewhat from free rotation, so that the bristles can effectively wash the entire outer surface of the golf balls. A golf ball may be removed from the compartments 60 at any time by pulling the same outwardly. This action may force some of the bristles 92 downwardly or sidewise to permit the withdrawal of the golf ball from the compartment 60, but this has no ill effect on the brush.

As is shown in FIG. l, the wheel 20 and washing device 36 are mounted on the right hand side of the golf cart 10. 1t will be obvious that a wheel like the wheel 20 could also be used on the left hand side of the cart without requiring any change in structure. However, the bristles 92 when used in a wheel on the left hand side should obviously slope in the opposite direction. This can be readily effected by simply reversing the manner in which the band 98 is mounted on the rim 86. Thus, it is within the scope of the invention to mount the wheel 20 on either side of the cart. ln either event, should the bristles 92 become unduly worn, the band 90 can be easily and quickly removed and replaced by a new one.

FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10 illustrate a golf ball washing device 118 that can be attached to an existing wheel 102 mounted upon a hollow shaft 18. The wheel 102 includes a hub 104, FlG. 9, a pair of dish-shaped plates 106, having abutting marginal portions 108 and oppositely disposed flanges 118 adapted to engage a tire 112. The portions 108 may be secured together by welding, riveting or other means. The hub 184 has an external threaded extension 114 upon which a removable cap (not shown) is ordinarily mounted. The cap can be removed and the threaded extension 114 can be used as a mount for the brush of the washing device, as will be explained later. A split washer 116 is mounted in a groove in the shaft 18 and limits the inward movement of the wheel 102 on said shaft.

The washing deivce 118 includes a tank 120 having an inner wall 122 provided with a central opening 124, which surrounds the threaded extension 114 of the hub, and an external flange 126. The tank 120 also includes an outer wall 128 having an enlarged central opening 130 and an outer flange 132 adapted to abut and to be secured to the flange 126 by an adhesive or heat fusion. The lower portion of the tank 12h contains a series of spaced, radially disposed, baffles 134 having recesses 136, and a series of radially extending partitions 138 arranged diametrically opposite the baflles 134. The partitions 138 provided a pair of compartments 1401 arranged in registration with an arcuate opening 142 in the upper part of the outer wall 128. The central opening 13d is closed by a plate 144,

which has a flange 146 through which screws 148 extend and are received in threaded openings in the outer wall 128. The cover plate 144 also includes a conical wall 150 having a flange 15-2 at its inner end. The flange 146 has a portion cut-away at 154, coinciding with and form-v ing a part of the openingA 142 through which the golf balls 62 may be inserted and withdrawn from the cornpartments 140. The washing device also includes a rotating brush 156 having a body including an annular conical web 158 and a central boss 160 that is internally threaded and mounted upon the threads of the extension 114. The web 158 carries an outer flange 162 that is arcuate in transverse cross section, as best shown in FIG. 9. An elastic band 164 carrying nylon bristles 166 surrounds the flange 162 and is adapted to conform to the arcuate configuration thereof. The band 164 has a series of projections 168 that pass through mating openings in the flange 162 to retain the band 164 on the body of the brush.

A stud bolt 170, FIG. l0, has a cylindrical portion 172 which is of such diameter that it may be driven into the hollow shaft 18 with `a force fit. A threaded portion 174 extends axially from the cylindrical portion 172 and pro-` jects beyond the extension 114 when the stud bolt 170 is mounted on the shaft 18. It will be noted from FIG. 9 that the end of the cylindrical portion 172 is flush with the end of the shaft 18.

In assembling the washing device 118 with the wheel 102, the tank 120 is positioned upon the extension 114. The brush 156 is then passed through the opening 130 and the boss 160 is threaded onto the threads of the extension 114. The shaft 18 extends slightly beyond the end of the wheel hub 104 and a washer 176 is mounted on the outer end thereof adjacent the flange 160. The cover plate 144 is then placed in position and secured to the outer wall 128 by the screws 148. The flange 152 has an opening to permit the same to be passed over the threaded portion 174 of the stud bolt 170i, the flange being of a size to engage the bearing washer 176 and also to abut the outer end of the shaft 18, as shown in FIG. 9. A wing nut 178 is then threaded onto the portion 174 to tightly clamp the flange 152 against the outer end of the shaft 18, thereby securing the parts together in a manner to prevent relative rotation between the tank 120 and the shaft 18. The threaded connection between the boss 160 of the brush body 156 and the threaded extension 114, assures that the brush will rotate when the wheel 102 is turned to cause the brush to wash a golf ball in the same manner described in connection with the embodiment of the inven# tion shown in FIGS. 1 to 6.

It will be understood from the foregoing that the golf ball washing device 118 can be readily and quickly atl tached to an existing wheel structure on a golf cart having a hollow shaft 18. It will also be understood that the washing device 118 can be attached either to a righthand wheel or to a lefthand wheel with appropriate positioning of the band 164 so that the outer ends of the bristles 166 will extend in the direction of rotation of the wheel, as

illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIGS. ll, 12 and 13 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention adapted to be applied to a golf cart wheel rotatably mounted upon a solid shaft 180i.' The shaft 180 has a flange or washer 182 fixed thereon for engaging -a hub 184 of a wheel 102a, to limit the axial movement'of the wheel on the shaft. The Wheel 102a is constructed substantially the same as the wheel 102 illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 10, and corresponding parts thereof are designated by the same numerals. Y

In order to adapt the shaft 180l to receive and retain the wheel 102e, it is provided with an axial threaded opening 186, as will appear more fully hereinafter. A golf ball washing device 188 is adapted to be retained upon the shaft 180 and comprises a tank 190, having an inner wall 192 provided with a central opening 194 and a peripheral flange 196. The tank also includes an outer .wall 198 having a relatively large central opening 7 200 and a peripheral ilange 202. The flanges 196 and 202 are secured together in abutting relation by a suitable adhesive 203, or otherwise, as shown in FIG. 1l.

The lower part of the chamber of the tank 190 has a series of circumferentially spaced, radially disposed bafes 204, similar to the baflles 54 of FIG. 2. The baffles 204 have recesses 206 adjacent the flanges 196 and 202 for establishing communication between the compartments provided by the baffles. A series of radially disposed partitions 208 are disposed in the upper part of the chamber of the tank 190, diametrically opposite to the bafes 204. The partitions 208 form a pair of adjacent compartments 210, each of which is adapted to receive a golf ball 62. The outer wall 198 of the tank 190 has an arcuate opening 212 in the region of the compartments 210 to facilitate the insertion and removal of the golf balls 62. An opening 200 in the wall 198 is covered by a plate 214 having an outer ange 216 provided with openings for a series of screws 218 which engage threaded openings in the wall 198. Plate 214 also includes a conical Wall portion 220 having a ange 222 at its inner end surrounding a central opening 223. The tank 190, when in use, is lled with a cleansing liquid 224 to a level below the shaft 180.

A brush 226 is disposed within the tank 190 and comprises an annular web 228 having an inner ilange 230 and an outer ilange 232 of arcuate transverse crosssection. An arcuate band 234, made of suitable elastic material, such as rubber, and carrying nylon bristles 236, encircles the outer ange 232. The band 234 has a number of inwardly directed projections 238 adapted to be received in openings in the ange 232 to prevent relative movement between the flange and band. The inner surface of the ange 230 has a series of spaced, axially extending splines 240, for a purpose to be explained later.

The Washing device 188 is mounted on the wheel 10211 by a member 242 having a tubular portion 244 provided with an internal bore 245 and a series of spaced axially extending external grooves 246 adapted to receive the splines 240 on the inner flange 230 of the brush 226 to form a driving connection therebetween. The mounting member 242 also includes a radially disposed circular flange 248, which is adapted to be connected with the concave wheel plate 106 by screws 250 passing through aligned openings in the flange 248 and threaded into apertures in the plate 106. The tubular portion 244 includes a radially disposed shoulder 252 adjacent the radial flange 248, forming a stop for the inner flange 230. A stud bolt 254 (FIG. 13), is threaded into the opening 186, and is retained therein by a lock nut 256 and a lock washer 258. A bearing washer 260 abuts the outer end of the tubular portion 244. The ange 222 of the plate 214 engages the washer 260 and is retained in position by a wing nut 262 threaded o'n the stud 254.

In attaching the washing device 188 to a golf cart having a solid shaft 180, the usual means for preventing the wheel 102 from axially sliding off the shaft 180 is removed, the threaded opening 186 is formed in the end o-f the shaft 180, and the stud bolt 254 is threaded thereinto. The mounting member 242 is then secured to the wheel 102 by drilling and tapping holes for the screws 250. The tank 190 may be mounted by passing the opening 194 in the wall 192 over the end of the mounting member 242. The brush 226 may then be mounted on the tubular portion 244 of the mounting member with the splines 240 received in the grooves 246, as seen in FIG. 12. The opening 200 in the outer wall 198 is suciently large for the brush 226 to be inserted within the chamber of the tank 190. The parts are so designed that the outer surface of the lock nut 256 is in alignment with the outer surface of the tubular portion 244, so that, when the bearing washer 260 is slipped over the end of the stud bolt 254, the inner surface of the washer contacts the outer surface of the lock nut 256 to form a stop therefor, and the inner surface of the washer also contacts the outer end of the tubular portion 244 and the internal flange 230 to form a bearing surface to permit relative rotation. The opening 223 in the inner flange 222 of .the closure plate 214 is then passed over the outer end of the stud bolt 254, and the closure plate is secured to the outer wa1l198 of the tank 190 by the screws 218. The wing nut 262 may then be threaded onto the stud bolt 254, tightly forcing the dange 22.2 and the bearing washer 260 against the lock nut 256 to prevent relative rotation between the shaft and the bearing washer 260 and tank 180 secured thereto.

The various parts of the washing device can be made of any suitable materials, such as those described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6.

The nylon bristles 236 in the modication of FIGS. ll, l2 and 13 have forwardly projecting outer ends, similar to the bristles 92 in the embodiment of FIGS. l to 6, and the washing device operates in substantially the same -manner to wash one or more golf balls 62 disposed within the compartments 210. As, in the previous embodiments, the arcuate band 234 may be reversed if it is desired to attach the washing device to a wheel on the left-hand side instead of on the right-hand side of the cart.

From the foregoing, it is evident that there has been disclosed several embodiments of a novel golf ball washing device for use with Va golf cart. The wheel shown in FIG. 3 with its built-in golf ball washing device, can readily be mounted upon either a hollow or a solid' shaft. The golf ball washing devices of FIGS. 9 and l1 are capable of `being quickly attached to an existing wheel of a golf cart having either a hollow or a solid shaft.

Any suitable cleansing liquid can be used in the tank. The normal pushing of the golf cart causes rotation of the annular brush in the tank of the washing device, carrying with it some of the cleansing liquid and producing a scrubbing action on the golf balls carried in the several compartments. The angularity and curvature of the bristles and the structural arrangement of the compartment-d'ening walls or" the tank, permit the golf balls to rotate randomly in the compartments, without free spinning, under the force produced by the movement of the brush, thereby thoroughly cleaning all surfaces of the golf ball in an efiicient manner. While the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 to l0 and ll to 13 do not show a drain opening for the tank, it is evident that a drain opening of the form shown in FIGS. l to 3 can be applied to these embodiments.

While the brush element has been shown in the several embodiments with its bristles arranged on an angle to most effectively wash the golf balls while the golf cart is being pushed, the brush may be reversed in the case of a golfer who prefers to pull the cart. As a compromise, the bristles may be made radial to be equally efective whether the cart is being pushed or Ipulled.

Although the golf ball washing devices have been disclosed herein in connection with manually pulled or pushed carts, it will be obvious that the devices may be used on electric, gas powered, etc. golf carts.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the several embodiments of the invention will be readily understood. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact details of the constructions shown and described herein and, accordingly, numerous variations and equivalents may be resorted to without departing from the principles of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A golf ball washing device, comprising: a substantially circular tank adapted to contain a cleansing liquid; means for non-rotatably mounting said tank on a golf cart in a vertical plane, whereby the cleansing liquid will occupy the lower part of said tank; an annular brush in said tank; means for connecting said brush with a rotating element on said golf cart to effect rotation of said brush, said tank including a wall having an opening at its outer margin for the passage of a golf ball therethrough; partition means within said tank providing at least one compartment, separate from the liquid containing portion of said tank, to receive a golf ball through said opening and to retain the same in contact with said brush; and splash preventing baflies in the liquid containing portion of said tank disposed radially beyond said brush.

2. A golf ball washing device as defined in claim 1, in which the tank comprises confronting side walls, and the opening for the golf ball is located in one of said side walls at a zone beyond the periphery of the annular brush.

3. A golf ball washing device as defined in claim l, wherein the means for non-rotatably mounting the tank on the cart includes means carried by the tank for securing the same in co--axial relation to a shaft of the golf cart.

4. A golf ball washing device as defined in claim 1, in which the means for non-rotatably mounting the tank on the golf cart includes elements for non-rotatable mounting the tank on a shaft of the golf cart, and in which the means for rotating the brush includes elements for connecting the same with a ground-engaging wheel of the golf cart.

5. A golf ball Washing device as defined in claim 1, in which the inner surface of the wall of the tank, at its outer margin, is concave; the outer periphery of the brush is concave, and said concave tank surface and said concave brush periphery are disposed in spaced relation to define an annular space having a diametrical crosssection of generally circular form.

6. A golf ball washing device as defined in claim l,- n which the outer edge of the opening for the golf ball is spaced from the bristles of said brush a distance slightly less than the diameter of a golf ball, whereby said bristles are slightly deformed when a golf ball is inserted into or removed from the compartment.

7. A golf ball Washing device as defined in claim 6, in which the wall defining the opening for the golf ball includes a recess, whereby a finger can be inserted to facilitate removal of a golf ball.

8. A golf ball washing device as defined in claim l, in which the inner surface of the wall of the tank at its outer margin is concave, the opening for the golf ball includes an outer edge lying in said concave margin and side edges extending into said concave margin, and wherein the compartment-forming means includes partitions adjacent to said side edges.

9. A golf ball washing device as defined in claim 8, in which the side edges are recessed to facilitate the entry of a finger to remove a golf ball.

10. A golf ball washing device, comprising: an annular tank adapted to contain a cleansing liquid; an annular brush in said tank; means for connecting said brush co-axially with a wheel on said golf cart to effect rotation of said brush, said tank including inner and outer Walls, said outer wall having an opening large enough to pass said brush therethrough; a plate closing said opening; means carried by said plate for nonrotatably securing said tank to a shaft for said wheel; and means within said tank forming at least one open compartment, Separate from the liquid containing portion of said tank, to receive a golf ball and to retain the same in contact with said brush.

11. A golf ball washing device as defined in claim 10, in which the tank has an access opening on one side thereof, and wherein the compartment-forming means comprises partitions carried by a wall of the tank and located in the region of said access opening.

12. A golf ball washing device as defined in claim 10, wherein the means for connecting the brush with the golf cart wheel includes a series of splines and grooves providing a driving connection therebetween.

13. A golf ball washing device, comprising: a wheel having a side wall with an opening therein, an inner peripheral flange and an outer peripheral fiange, said side wall and said flanges forming an annular channel; an annular tank within Said channel, adapted to contain a golf ball cleaning uid, said tank including a tubular bushing rotatably fitting within said inner flange of said Wheel; an annular brush within said tank, said tank having a golf ball compartment disposed outwardly of said brush; means securing said brush for rotation with said inner ange of said wheel; and means for non-rotatably securing said tubular bushing to a golf cart shaft, whereby said tank is restrained from rotation while the wheel is rotated to drive said brush.

14. A golf ball washing device adapted for attachment to a ground-engaging wheel of a golf cart having a hollow supporting shaft and the wheel having a hub extension, comprising: a stud bolt receivable within the hollow shaft and to be secured therein; an annular liquid receiving tank; an annular brush rotatable within said tank and mountable upon said hub extension for rotation therewith; and means to non-rotatably connect said tank with said stud bolt.

15. A golf ball washing device as defined in claim 14, in which said means for connecting the brush with the hub extension comprises a central boss carried by said brush, said boss having internal threads to matingly engage external threads on the hub extension.

16. A golf ball washing device adapted for attachment to a ground-engaging Wheel of a golf cart having a solid supporting shaft, the shaft having a portion extending beyond the wheel and a threaded bore therein, comprising: a threaded stud bolt adapted to be screwed into the threaded bore; an annular liquid receiving tank; an annular brush rotatable within said tank; means to connect said tank with said stud bolt to prevent rotation of the tank; and means to interconnect said brush with the ground-engaging wheel for rotation therewith.

17. A golf ball washing device as defined in claim 16, in which the means to interconnect the brush with the ground engaging wheel includes a mounting member having a flange to be secured to the wheel.

18. A golf ball washing device as defined in claim 16, in which the means to interconnect the brush with the ground-engaging wheel includes a mounting member having a ange on one end to be secured to the wheel and a tubular part on the other end having grooves in its exterior, and in which said brush includes a central hub having splines cooperating with the grooves in said mounting member.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,583,470 Kapp May 4, 1926 1,889,809 Nielsen Dec. 6, 1932 2,661,858 Howell Dec. 8, 1953 2,744,274 Procario et al. i May 8, 1956 2,885,706 Hartwell et al May 12, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 697,358 Great Britain Sept. 23, 1953 739,999 Great Britain Nov. 2, 1955 OTHER REFERENCES German printed application, 1,065,048, Sept. l0, 1959. 

